The New York Jets have named Russ Cellan of Freeport High School this week’s recipient of the New York Jets High School Coach of the Week award presented by Chase. Through Chase’s partnership, the monetary award to benefit the school’s football program has doubled to $2,000. Coach Cellan will be presented with a certificate and award ball. In addition, he is invited to watch the New York Jets vs. Tennessee Titans on December 13th in Chase’s suite.
In its 20th year, the Coach of the Week award is given to a coach in the Tri-State area who serves the best interests of the game through the teaching of sound football fundamentals, the motivation of young players to achieve and the promotion of youth football by way of dedication to their community, their school and their student-athletes.
Coach Cellan is in his 30th season of coaching the Freeport Red Devils. Under his leadership, the Red Devils won six Nassau County titles (‘97,’98,’00,’03,’09’,10), five Rutgers Cups, awarded to the county’s outstanding football team (’97,’00,’03,’08,’10) and four Long Island Championships (’00,’03,’09,’10). He has coached three NFL players during his career, including current New York Jets left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson. Cellan is also in his thirteenth year as a physical education teacher at Freeport High School. The CW Post alumnus is also a member of the college’s football hall of fame.
On Saturday, Freeport defeated the Plainview JFK Hawks 35-27, to give Coach Cellan his 200th career victory. The Red Devils next game will be at home against the Massapequa Chiefs on Saturday, September 26th at 2 P.M.
Previous Award Winners:
Week 1: Steve Mileti, West Islip High School, West Islip, N